Category: Urban Union

Helping the Edinburgh Community Through the Pandemic

As part of our community benefit programmes for the City of Edinburgh Council, and Muirhouse Housing Association (MHA), we have provided over £15,000 in ongoing support to the Muirhouse Millennium Centre in the north of Edinburgh since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.

The Muirhouse Millennium Centre, run in partnership with Low Income Families Together (LIFT), aims to relieve poverty among the residents of the surrounding areas, provide recreational and leisure facilities, and promote education and training in skills of all kinds.

During the first wave of the pandemic, from March to October, these cash boosts helped the Millennium Centre become a major player in food distribution in the north of Edinburgh. Since then and throughout the two lockdowns, the money has helped fund over 5,000 food parcels, 22,000 packed lunches, 6,000 ready meals as well as baby formula and nappies for local families and homeless accommodation.

Adapting their recreational support service, the Millennium Centre also delivered over 500 play packs and activity resources, allowing children to continue taking part in the Centre’s homework and youth clubs through Zoom. In October, once children were allowed to be welcomed back, the Centre used the funding to deliver five sessions a week to reduce isolation and strengthen social skills after being at home for the duration of the first lockdown.

As part of our community benefits mission, we have previously also supported Muirhouse Library’s Breakfast Club to ensure local children had a nutritious start to their day as well as helping Pennywell School build their STEM curriculum, recently launching a STEM-based learning project.

Neil McKay, Managing Director of Urban Union, said: “Our focus at Urban Union is to not only regenerate a physical landscape, but to create strong relationships and support the communities in which our developments are based. We are ecstatic to have been able to support the Millennium Centre and LIFT throughout a very challenging period for many families.

“We are always happy to give something back to the Muirhouse community and we will continue to offer opportunities for local people and support for the most vulnerable in the area.”

Iain Strachan, Chair of the Muirhouse Housing Association added: “Muirhouse Housing Association is dedicated to supporting our tenants and local community. This last year has been one of the most challenging in our near 30 years of being part of the Muirhouse community. We are glad that we can work with Muirhouse Millennium Centre and LIFT in supporting local people and families during a very difficult time and will continue to do so in the future.”

Pauline Bowie, Managing Director of Low Income Families Together said: “We are very grateful for this generous donation from Urban Union and MHA which has made a real tangible difference to children and families alike across Edinburgh during an extremely difficult time.

“The Centre relies on funding to deliver our programmes and reach those who need it the most. Everyone deserves a chance in life, and donations like this allows for local people in challenging situations to access different forms of support.”

City of Edinburgh Council’s Convener of Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work, Councillor Kate Campbell said: “During this crisis, we’ve worked together to put our most vulnerable residents first and making sure people can access the right support when and where they need it has been an absolute priority.

“It’s great to see our development partner Urban Union and Muirhouse Housing Association providing this much needed funding for Muirhouse Millennium Centre’s invaluable work, and the positive impact it’s had on the community’s families and children since the beginning of the pandemic.”

An Urban Union Community

At Urban Union we specialise in not only delivering outstanding new homes, but regenerating communities. Our ambitious developments deliver homes where they are most needed and in doing so we support local communities and enhance the lives of those who live there. So when you consider what home you’re buying – we hope you’ll also consider what kind of community you’ll be a part of.

We create homes that provide a mix of terraces and apartments in a variety of different house types suitable to first-time buyers and growing families alike. In addition to one and two-bedroom apartments, our developments include two, three, four and five-bedroom terraced homes. Everyone from young professionals to families can enjoy a modern and stylish home at an affordable price.

Established in 2011 with the aim of working in Glasgow, similar regeneration opportunities followed, and we now deliver housing in key regeneration areas across Scotland.

With a track record in delivering critical regeneration projects to support the demand for high quality, affordable homes we provide an opportunity for people to join the property ladder in city centre locations. New sustainable mixed tenure communities are facilitated through the provision of new housing, community facilities, green space and, where appropriate, commercial units. Our developments combine superior architecture, urban design and spacious, flexible accommodation.

The heart of a community

Community engagement is at the heart of our plans and our aim is to build relationships with the local communities to ensure the homes we build are to the benefit of the people of the cities in which we have developments.

Various jobs are created during the construction phase of the project, with Urban Union committed to providing employment opportunities for local people.

We have successfully delivered hundreds of homes at our developments and are putting that award-winning experience to good use as we support ongoing regeneration.

Embedded in our developments is the link to local community, for example connecting the community by supporting the Citizen’s Theatre, local school children helping to plant trees at the Pennywell Nature Garden, celebrating local heroes with our Living Legends arts project at Laurieston, and running young apprenticeship programmes links to local schools and colleges across all of our Projects.

Commitment to exceptional design

We work with architects who have an ongoing commitment to creating high quality, crafted architecture, public realm and landscape that is embedded and connected to its local and wider context. We ensure that our regeneration projects benefit the local landscape and community, so our sites feature green spaces and a mix of accommodation, with potential for commercial opportunities and retail outlets.

Help to Buy

The range of properties are competitively priced and are suitable for a wide variety of needs and budgets. Most include outdoor space and the flexibility for home working.

With the introduction of the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme in March 2021, you can purchase a home with just a 5% deposit (subject to application) or by using the First Home Fund. We enjoy welcoming residents to the area to start the next chapter of their lives and becoming part of a thriving community.

Summer Competition

We are running a Summer Facebook and Instagram competition from Friday June 18th to Friday July 2nd at 5pm 2021.

Enter here.

Competition Terms & Conditions

Participants must comment on Facebook or Instagram to tell us their favourite plants and why. Posting an image is optional.

A winner will be chosen based on their answers by Urban Union, and they will receive a three month subscription to Bloom and Wilde.

The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.

Competition closes 5pm on July 2nd, 2021.

Competition is open to UK residents only.

This competition is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook or Instagram.

The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over.

Competition excludes Urban Union and Robertson Group employees and their immediate family.

One entry per person.

The winner will be notified within seven working days of the competition ending via Facebook private message or Instagram direct message.

In the event that the winner does not respond to our message informing them they have won within five working days, we reserve the right to choose a new winner.

We reserve the right to cancel this promotion at any time.

Pollokshaws Living

Find out more about Pollokshaws Living,

Urban Union Boosts its Team With Four New Hires We are delighted to announce that we have strengthened our Glasgow-based team with four new appointments, as we continue to transform communities across Scotland. Daniel MacDonald, Claire Ferris, Ashleigh Donnelly and Chlo read more

New release at Pollokshaws Living We are delighted to announce that we have released the latest selection of properties at our newest Glasgow development, Pollokshaws Living. House hunters in Glasgow have been quick to snap up property at the popular development with th read more

For the Kumars, a growing family had them on the lookout for a bigger home – and they found the perfect solution at Urban Union’s Pennywell Living development. When their son Akshat was born four years ago, Awinash and wife Khushboo moved into a two-bedroom flat read more

Looking for your first home?

Although the pandemic resulted in the withdrawal of mortgage products last year, the good news is that they are now edging their way back into the market especially with the introduction of the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme. This means that, subject to meeting lenders’ criteria, you can once again purchase a property with a 5% deposit as many of the high street lenders have joined the scheme. What’s more, when you purchase a newly built home you aren’t subject to making ‘offers over’ and being priced out of the sale due to competition to high quality homes. You simply obtain a mortgage in principle, pay a reservation fee and the process begins.

Securing a high loan to value mortgage

The mortgage guarantee scheme launched at the start of April this year. The scheme means that the UK government will guarantee 95% mortgages for those with just a 5% deposits. Under the scheme, the government guarantees the portion of the mortgage over 80% which essentially means that the government will partially compensate the lender if a homeowner defaults on their mortgage. It is similar to the previously available Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme.

Who can apply

Unlike Help to Buy, the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is available to everyone, not just first-time buyers. You’ll need to be buying a property up to the value of £600,000 to live in yourself, so it won’t apply to second or holiday homes and buy-to-let investments. You cannot use the scheme with an interest-only mortgage and will need to pass the usual affordability checks set by the lender, including affordability and a credit score assessments. In addition, the mortgage you’re applying for will need to be for between 91% and 95% of the value of the property you’re buying. Finally, you’ll need to apply before the scheme ends on 31st December 2022, although it could be extended.

Find out more

Bank of Mum & Dad

An increasingly popular way to buy your first home is to obtain help from your parents or grandparents. According to the latest figures from Aldermore the number of first-time buyers using family funding to buy their first home has risen from 22% in March 2020 to a third 33% in March 2021. There has been a huge increase in the percentage of those remortgaging their property to help their children buy a home – from 9% in March 2020 to 38% in March 2021. Other popular ways to release cash is to downsize (18%), withdrawing pension funds (17%) and selling stocks and shares (16%).

Buy at a fixed price

With house prices rising each month as demand outweighs supply, buying at a fixed price means you aren’t being priced out of the market and paying over the odds in order to secure a home. There is no danger of paying over the odds due to high competition for the same property.

Ensure you have a a good credit rating

It’s important that you have a good credit score in order to obtain a good rate on your mortgage – the lower the score the lower risk you are considered to be by the lender. Check your credit score before you look to buy a property to give you time to improve this.

A larger deposit

If you can put more down on a property your mortgage rate and your outgoings will be lower. Some lenders are offering 10% mortgages aimed at borrowers in the local area and for those in particular professions. Ideally you want to have 15% deposit.

Talk to us at Urban Union if you’re looking for your first home. Our properties can be reserved with a small reservation fee and are available at a fixed price in our Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh developments.

The Coliseum Housing Development Consultation Event

Prior to the highly anticipated launch of The Coliseum Housing Development in Laurieston, everyone is welcome to view an important update on the plans for the first phase.

Join the meeting

An online public meeting outlining the planning proposals for this vibrant new build residential development providing 64 new homes, landscaped courtyard and associated amenities will be held on April 21st. It will feature a presentation, live chat and a Q&A session. For access details to the live chat event, or to make comment on the proposals, email consultations@newgorbalsha.org.uk. Comments are welcomed by April 28th.

The Coliseum Housing Development, 99-111 Eglinton Street, Laurieston

The Coliseum Housing Development forms part of the Laurieston Transformational Regeneration Area (TRA) and a joint venture between the New Gorbals Housing Association and Urban Union. It will provide 26 dwellings for sale and 38 dwellings for social housing use. Additionally, it will re-provide the “community rooms” currently hosted on the site an enhanced, enlarged space with associated garden.

The Association seeks to develop a dense, city centre housing development which forms a key frontage for the Laurieston TRA onto Eglinton Street and maintain the architectural and urban design quality achieved in the Association’s earlier phases on Cumberland Street / Margaret Street and Gorbals Street.

The site

The Coliseum Site, as it has come to be known in reference to its history, is located to the South of the River Clyde on Eglinton Street between the existing O2 Academy Building to the south and Bridge Street Subway station to the north.

The site is bounded to the west, on the opposite side of Eglinton Street, by the elevated railway lines leading to and from Central Station to the north. On the other side of the railway lines, further to the west lies the Tradeston District, another area with a rich history and where further significant development is planned.

Laurieston’s central location makes it the key element in linking Tradeston and the New Gorbals areas with each other and with the city centre, creating a catalyst for investment and densification. Critically however, it realises much needed residential accommodation close to the city centre.

The heart of a community

At the centre of our approach is an unrivalled commitment to creating communities. We achieve this by working in close partnership with local authorities, housing associations, community groups and residents. The Coliseum Site builds on the success of Laurieston Living a diverse urban living quarter. This ongoing commitment to high quality, crafted architecture, public realm and landscape that is connected to the local and wider context.

The development enhances the quality of the built environment and further enhances the community that residents can be proud of. People are at the forefront of the design and this development links them to the bigger tapestry of the city.

Design

The architectural design aims include timeless quality, heritage and presence. Using a simple material palette allows for expression through fine detailing and the human scale of the architecture is promoted in elements such as the windows and entrances. The materials used are sympathetic to the surrounding area and internal spaces are bright and airy with a clear link to the street and garden.

The area

The landscape proposals have been developed with the aim of creating a vibrant place to live and for life to thrive within the regenerating urban fabric. Fundamental to this are integrated, inclusive and useable areas within the wider community and the development.

The calm and natural landscaped courtyard will provide an opportunity for residents to have direct contact with nature at their doorstep within an urban setting. There is a strong sense of place that emerges from and connects with the cultural, and the natural heritage of the site in close proximity to the Clyde.

The Coliseum Site is a place for community interactions between residents and the wider community, with moments that also allow for quietness and relaxation.

A new addition to the team

We are delighted to announce that we are strengthening our team with a new appointment to the Commercial Department. Ewan Boyd will join Urban Union’s head office in Glasgow, in his new role as senior quantity surveyor.

Ewan brings with him over 15 years’ experience in the construction industry having most recently worked as Commercial Manager for All Saints Construction across Scotland, and Surveying Manager for CALA Homes East. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the construction industry, team management, risk identification and reduction, land viability, contract procurement and commercial oversight.

Laurence Millar, Commercial Manager for Urban Union said: “We are delighted to welcome Ewan to the Urban Union team, at a time when we are working on several new projects. As a business with big ambitions for delivery and growth, Ewan will play a major role in Urban Union’s journey going forward and we look forward to seeing him develop with us.

Speaking on his new role, Ewan Boyd, Senior Quantity Surveyor for Urban Union added: “I’m hugely excited to be working with Urban Union, their award-winning work speaks for itself and I am eager to help the business to achieve and expand their aims.

“It is the right time for me to take on a new challenge and I am looking forward to working with the Commercial Department and regenerate communities across Scotland”

At present, we have three active developments in Scotland: Laurieston Living and Pollokshaws Living in Glasgow and Pennywell Living in Edinburgh. Discover more.

Purchasing a new home from Urban Union Ltd.

When you purchase a new home with Urban Union, the process is simple, easy to follow and we will guide you every step of the way. At present you can reserve one of the remaining one bedroom apartments at Muirton Living for just £99 with a sale price of £100,000 plus floor coverings included as an added incentive, making it move-in ready and an affordable option, especially for first time buyers.

Buying a home can be daunting but with Urban Union, once you reserve your new home it’s off the market and won’t be sold to anyone else during the reservation period. The reservation fee will also be deducted from any balance due at legal completion.

For many people it’s the first time they have had to consider everything that is involved. That’s why our Sales Advisors have been carefully selected and are highly trained to provide you with the highest standards of service possible. You will receive regular telephone calls to keep you up to date with progress and to advise what you/we need to do next to ensure agreed deadlines are met.

Here’s a brief week by week guide to how the purchasing process works.

Reservation day

Once you have reserved your property it’s time to appoint a solicitor to act on your behalf.

Within two days

Talk to a mortgage advisor and submit your mortgage application – remember to provide this to information to your Sales Advisor.

Your lender will instruct a Surveyor to inspect your new home and carry out a valuation for the mortgage lender for the purposes of your mortgage.

Once everything has been checked you should receive a mortgage offer via your mortgage advisor or direct from the lender. Sign and return the agreement.

Within two weeks

Solicitors for Urban Union will forward the offer to your Solicitor. You should then meet with your Mortgage Advisor and take with you the following for each person who is buying the property:

A copy of your UK driving licence or full UK passport showing your signature.
Details of your place of residence for the past five years together with a Council Tax bill, bank statement and utility bill.
Your P60 and original pay slips for the past three months. N.B If you have been employed with your current company for less than three years you will need to supply the name and address of your previous employer(s).
If you already have a mortgage you will need to supply the name and address of the mortgage lenders together with your account number and last mortgage statement.
If you are currently living in rented accommodation you will need to provide the name and address of your landlord together with a rent book, where applicable.
If you currently have any hire purchase agreements, you will need to provide details of the agreements. You may also be required to provide a copy of the original loan agreement and proof that all payments have been made.
Certain personal details will be required such as your National Insurance Number, your tax code and tax office.
Payment of the survey fee may be required.
Your mortgage lender will carry out credit checks on your financial status over the past five years and it is therefore imperative that you advise your Mortgage Advisor if you have been in arrears on any financial commitment, including mortgage, council tax, HP agreements etc.

Within one week

Your Solicitor should have concluded missives for your purchase and have paid any balance of the deposit.

Please note, the conclusion of missives deadline periods may vary according to the reservation conditions.

Congratulations! – You have concluded missives on your brand new Urban Union home!

Helping the Edinburgh Community Through the Pandemic